All I am offering is advice. . . it may or may not work for you. It's worked for me and I have had decades of riding and many thousands of miles in the saddle.

As far a bike shorts: they do feel like you're wearing a diaper, especially the cheap ones, but I don't care because it makes a big difference in my overall comfort while riding. Also, I have gotten cheap bike shorts and really expensive bike shorts. Over time, the cheap ones never were taken out my drawer and I found myself washing the expensive ones 2-3 times a week so I could wear them again!

Good point about skin irritation and chaffing! Nothing worst than an adult "diaper rash."

KJEANNE had the best advice on the thread. And although it seems counter-intuitive, the narrow saddles are actually more comfortable. If you are properly fitted on your bike, you should be on your "sit" bones (ischial tuberosities), not really on bum, and you will have a more comfortable ride.

Other pluses of bike shorts are that they wick moisture and help prevent chafing. If you spend a lot of time in the saddle, you can develop skin irritations that resemble diaper rash.

When I first started riding my road bike to work, I was praying for rain after the second day so that I could have an excuse to take public transit. My bike came with a decent women's seat already, but I was SO SORE!

My seat was too far back. I adjusted it and I haven't been sore since.

I love bike riding. My advice? Get the best pair of padded bike shorts you can afford. Try the discount bike sites: nashbar.com, performancebike.com, pricepoint.com. DO NOT wear underwear with your bike shorts!!!!!

Stay away from the gel seat cover - they are a waste of money.

Realize that it will take some time for your butt to toughen up but it will happen. If you plan to make longer rides a good saddle will also help. Stay a way from the soft cushy saddles they will not help you and can be more painful than a properly fitted that seems way too hard. I like Specialized saddles. Some bike shop have a special gel pad that will measure the width of your sit bones so you can get saddle that fits you.

Make sure your bike is properly fitted to you - your local bike shop can do this for you.

Peal Izumi makes some pretty good bike shorts. Your local bike shop should have a good selection. I've also seen them at major sporting good stores as well. These shorts do tend to be a little pricey. The higher the cost the better/more padding they have. Definitely check out the clearance section when you go. I was able to get a pair of shorts for $40 that were originally $95.

Another option would be to get a gel cover to put over your seat or a women's specific saddle. Fortunately my bike is a women's specific so it came with a gender specific saddle and I have not had any issues.

Sometimes it just takes getting used to the seat and the only way to do that is to ride more. Eventually your butt will get used to it.

Any good bike shop should have a selection of cycling shorts for women which are made a bit differently than those for men. In addition check into getting a woman specific saddle to increase your riding comfort. Beyond these two recommendations only time and riding will "break in" your personal "saddle".

I really like riding my bike, but my bottom gets sore! I can go about 7 or 8 miles before I get numb. Can anyone recommend a good pair of padded bike dhorts that will still feel good after about 20 miles?

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